Drive-chain



(No Model.)`

DRIVE CHAIN.

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fr w. .m 7 OO m UNITED STAT-Es PATENT 'Orrick'.

C. WILLIAM KRAUSE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRIVE-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,115, dated March 6,1888,.

Application tiled August 9, 1887.

To ozZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, C. WILLIAM KRAUsE,

a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Chicago, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Link Belts, of which the following is aspeciticatiou.

My invention relates particularly to an improvement in the constructionof the links of belts or drive-chains, it being my object to provide aconstruction of link to reduce the quantity of material required to formit and the friction orgrinding effect in its use upon thejoints of thebelt or chain formed by connecting several together, which effect is sogreat, by comparisom in link belts known to me of constructionsdiffering from my present improvement that it entails rapid weari ng ofthe belts, thus adding materially to the cost of running machineryinvolving them.

My invention consists in the general construction of my improved device;and it also consists in details of construction and combination ofparts, all as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a section of a belt formedaccording to my improved construction, and showing two of my improvedlinks connected together; Fig. 2, a side view of the same, having aportion of a link broken away to display a detail of construction; Fig.3, a view showing two links, one in broken sectional side elevation andthe other by dotted lines in side elevation, joined together' andpresenting a modified construction of link; Fig. 4, a plan view of oneside of alink ofthe modified constructiombroken from the opposite side;Fig. 5, a rear end view of one of the links, and Fig. 6 a section takenon line 6 6 of Fig. land viewed in the direction of the arrows:

A A are links, both of the same construction and each comprising across-head, r, enlarged at its extremities and provided on the upperside of each enlarged end with a rectangular recess, q, formedtransversely to the cross-head and leading into a socket, p, below it,of greater diameter than the recess g, and fiaring from or from near itscenter toward its extremities. From the forward sides of Serial No.246,498. (No model.)

the enlarged ends ot' the cross-head and from near the bases of the sameextend parallel arms o and o', bent slightly upward from the cross-headthroughout a part of their lengths, thence straight to be in line withthe sockets p. The bent portion of the arms o may be of any desired formin cross-section, whether round, square, or otherwise, and the ends areprovided with heads n, either in the form permit them to be insertedthrough the recesses q into the sockets p.

To connect links A to form an endless belt the reduced parts m ofthearms of one link are inserted into the sockets p through the recesses qat the ends of the cross-l1ead r of another link, when the inserted linkis drawn back to bring the parts x into the sockets p, wherein they areprevented from removal, unless in the reverse manner to that by whichthey are adjusted, by the stops afforded by the heads n and by theincreased diameter of the parts x over that of the recesses q.

Of course a suitable number of links A are adjustable together in themanner described to produce an endless belt of desired length.

It will be seen that inasmuch as the strain exerted on the belt, when inuse, is lengthwise of it, the links are not liable to become separated,and there can be but little wear by friction or grinding, since theheads n are rounded and rock against the sockets, which rocking motionis permitted by the flaring form of the sockets, and that the connectionofone link to another may be readily accomplished, since to do sorequires but. the insertion of the parts m of one link at the recess qof another, and pulling them in opposite directions to bring the parts:vintothe sockets p.

If the ball form of head n shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is employed, I providelateral danges or ribs l on the arms near the sockets p, to guide IOOthe heads a to the latter, and groove the sockets out at their innerends, as shown at y, to form seats for the globular heads.

Of course I do not limit myself to the exact forms of heads n shown, asother forms may answer the purpose and are within the spirit of myinvention. The degree of iiaring of the sockets p also depends on thetransverse thickness of the enlarged ends of the cross-heads. If theseends are sufliciently thin, the sockets may be straight, though ol' adiameterto per mit the slight play required for the parts inserted intothem.

What lclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A link belt formed of links A, all of similar construction, andcomprising, each, arms 0 and o', extending from opposite ends of across-head, r, and provided with heads n at their disconnectedextremities and reduced portions m, recesses q in the cross-head, nearopposite ends thereof, and sockets p in the cross-head of greaterdiameter than the recesses, and into Which the recesses lead, wherebythe links mayY he connected to form a chain and held against separationby introducing the reduced portions m of one link into the sockets pthrough the recesses q of another link, and drawing the parts ot' thearms in advance ofthe said reduced portions into the saidsockcts,suhstantially as described.

2. A link belt formed oflinks A, all oi' similar construction, andcomprising, each, arms o and o', extending from'opposite ends of across-head, yr, and provided with heads a at p their-disconnectedextremities and laterallyfiatteued reduced portions m, recesses q in thecross-head, near opposite ends thereof,andar ing sockets pin thecross'head of greater diameter than the recesses, and into which therecesses lead, whereby the links may be connected to form a chain andheld against separation by introducing the reduced portions m of onelink into the sockets y) through the recesses q of another link,anddrawing the parts ofthe arms in advance of the said reduced portionsinto the said sockets, substantially as described.

3. A link belt formed of links A, all of simii lar construction, andcomprisimg` each. arms -o and o', extending from opposite enlarged endsot' a crosshead, r, and provided with rounded heads n at theirdisconnected extremities, laterally-tlattcned reduced portions m, andflanges l, recesses q in the enlarged ends of the cross-head, and{lai-ing sockets p in the said enlarged ends, hollowed out at theirinner extremities to aft-'ord seats y, and into which the said recesseslead, whereby the links may be connected to form a chain and heldagainst separation hy introducing the reduced portions m of one linkinto the sockets p through the recesses q of another link, and drawingthe parts of the arms in advance of the said reduced portions into thesaid sockets, substantially as described.

C. VILLIAM KRAUSE.

In presence of CHAs. E. GAYLoRD, J. W. DYRENFQRTH.

